Excavations carried out between 1998-2001 at the Saltwood Tunnel and Stone Farm Bridleway sites, by Canterbury Archaeology Trust and Wessex Archaeology, as part of the CTRL works.

A small settlement develops in the Late Iron Age in the NW of the excavated area, at the junction of two trackways. A cluster of post-holes may indicate one or more structures, though no specific alignments can be determined. At least two ditched enclosures are situated in this area, and some ditches relating to the trackways are attributed to this phase. Further ditches to the east suggest another field. A small number of pits and post-holes are also present, and some small clay quarry pits. Metal objects are dominated by toilet/dress items, reflecting the domestic nature of the site (though an amphora-shaped strap-end has military/official connotations).
The settlement expands slightly in the Early - Mid Roman period. A ditched enclosure is present in this area, aligned with the trackway. Additional small lengths of ditch suggest the possible continuation of a field system. A number of pits and post-holes are present, though no structures are obvious. Larger pits could represent clay-quarries. Many of the features to the east of the settlement contain pottery sherds of this period, suggesting the area was open fields and subjected to manuring. The lack of Samian ware and open forms in Upchurch grey fineware suggests the site was of low status, though there are a large number of flagon sherds. (1)

Additional bibliography. (2-7)

See also TR 13 NE 225 and TR 13 NE 226

<1> Wessex Archaeology, 2002, Saltwood Tunnel Post Excavation Assessment Report (Unpublished document). SKE16613.

<2> Oxford Archaeological unit, 1997, North of Saltwood Tunnel, Kent Archaeological Evaluation Report (Unpublished document). SKE6875.

<3> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1999, North of Saltwood Tunnel, Kent. Detailed Archaeological Works Interim Report (Unpublished document). SKE6873.

<4> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1999, North of Saltwood Tunnel Kent (Unpublished document). SKE6883.

<5> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2006, The Later Prehistoric Pottery from Excavations Along Section 1 of the CTRL (Unpublished document). SKE16486.

<6> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2005, The Late Iron Age and Roman Pottery from Excavations Along Section 1 of the CTRL (Unpublished document). SKE16488.

<7> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2006, Radiocarbon dates from Section 1 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE16490.